Matrix forming and drying machine



May 18, 1937.

,Fild Oct. 1, 1934 G. M. CLARK MATRIX FORMING AND DRYING MACHINE ay 18,1937. G. M. CLARK 2,080,697

I MATRIX FORMING AND DRYING MACHINE -Filed Oct. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

In the formation of stereotype matrices, the type as set in flat form asby the linotype machine is impressed in the damp matrix material whichmust thereafter be curved to the general '5 contour of the presscylinder and dried out in order to harden it. Since the matrix after thetype has been impressed therein is somewhat soft and flabby it must besupported over substantially its entire area in curved form when 10 itis being dried in order that the surface of the stereotype plate madetherefrom may have the proper contour to print uniformly over itsprinting surface.

An object of the present invention, therefore,

is toprovide a machine by which the damp matrix may be easily andquickly curved to proper form and there held and dried.

A further object is to provide a machine in which the drying shallproceed uniformly to avoid distortion of the matrix produced bynonuniform drying or streak heat.

A further object is to provide an attachment which may be applied tomachines already on the market for facilitating the curving of thematrix and the holding of it in proper shape while it is being dried.

Further objects and advantageous constructions will be apparent from amore complete description of an embodiment of this invention 0 shown inthe accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a front elevation of a.machine embodying this invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are detail sections on the correspondingly numberedsection lines of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the upper portion of the machine in itsopen position ready to receive a matrix to be curved and dried.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the machine closed.

Figure Sis a vertical section crosswise of the drying mechanism.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the same broken away to illustrate theinterior construction.

Figure 8 is a perspective showing the blanket mechanism which may beused as an attachment for forming and drying machines previously on themarket.

Figure 9 is a perspective of the drying mechanism, parts being removedand showing a modification.

Referring first to Figure 1, at I is indicated a stand or table of anysuitable description on the top 2 of which is supported a drier member3. Thisdrying member presents a convex cylindrical surface forsupporting the matrix to be dried, and as shown the member issubstantially semi-cylindrical though it might be any portion of acylinder of sufficient extent to take the matrix thereon and impart thedesired extent of curvature thereto. As shown best in Figures 6 and 7this drying member comprises an inner semi-cylindrical metallic shell 4which may be supported on oppositely disposed and inwardly facingarcuate flanges 5 of end plates 6. The 10 space between this plate 4 andthe table top 2 is preferably packed with heat insulating material suchas mineral wool as at 1. Over this plate 4 is shown positioned a layerof asbestos paper or fabric 8 which forms the inner wall 1 5 of asemi-tubular chamber ID. The outer wall of this chamber is shown asformed of a curved metallic plate H presenting a convex semi-cylindricalface, over which is placed a reticulated metallic layer 12. Over thislayer I2 is posi- 20 tioned a sheet metal plate l3. This plate l3 andthe reticulated layer l2, which may be a wire screen, are held togetherby curved metallic clamping straps M at opposite side edges. As shownbest in Figure 5 the ends of the straps 14 may be brought down andsecured to the under face of the transverse bars I5 through which arepassed screws I6, the inner end or each of which abuts a seat member I!on the under side of the table top 2. By turning the screws I6 inwardlythe bars I5 are forced downwardly, bringing the clamping straps I4 intofirm clamping engagement with the plate I3 and holding it and thescreening I2 firmly in position. Over this plate l3 may be laid a 35blanket 2B of asbestos cloth or the like. Preferably this blanketmaterial is fabricated with a fine bronze wire reinforcing which servesto strengthen the blanket and hold it firmly in woven condition. One endof this blanket may 40 be turned outwardly as shown at 2| (see Figure 6)and be clamped in position to the upper face of the table top 2 as bymeans of an angle member 22 which may be secured by means such as nutsand bolts at 23. This angle mem- 45 ber 22 may also have anotherfunction as will later appear.

The end wall members 6 are shown as provided with flanged margins as at25 to receive the side edge portions of the elements ll I2, 59 I3, andI4 and a gasket strip 26 of asbestos fabric or paper may be placedbetween this flange 25 and the inner face of the plate II. The loweredges of the plate ll may be secured tothe upwardly flanged ends 28 ofthe table top 2 which may be reinforced longitudinally as by the anglemembers 29, and insulating material 30 such as mineral wool, asbestospaper, or the like, may be positioned in the lower end portions of thechamber H1. Spaced outwardly from the plates 6 are cover plates 3| andthe space between the plates 6 and 3| may be filled with heat insulatingmaterial 32.

This chamber lil is designed to house heating elements herein shown aselectric'heatin-g units 35. They may, if desired, be supported onarcuate flanges 36 extending inwardly from the end walls 6, which alsomay be tied together at inter-- vals by the tie rods 38 provided withnuts 39 on their outer ends. These electric heating units may beconnected up to be energized as desired in order to produce any desireddistribution of heat, some or all being used as desired, or all may beemployed at once, provided some type of voltage control is used toregulate the amount of heat developed. For example, where these unitsare heated with alternating current, a transformer with windings ofvarious ratios may be employed so that the voltage impressed thereon maybe varied in accordance with the selected winding. It hasbeen found inpractice that the use of the reticulated layer l2 between the inner andouter metal plates H and I3 serve to more evenly distribute the heatreceived initially from the plate H, over the area of the plate I3 sothat while the plate H may be locally heated by those heating elementsin proximity thereto which are energized, the screening l2 serves quiteeffectually to distribute this over a much larger area to the plate I3.Even with this arrangement, however, it is sometimes found that theheating may be somewhat localized adjacent to the particular heatingunits energized, causing what is known as streak heat, that is, heatwhich dries the matrix in longitudinal zones and causes more or lessdistortion which interferes with proper alinement of the lines ofprinting in the stereotype plate made therefrom.

In order to eliminate streak heating entirely, provision may be made, asshown in Figure 9, for recirculating the air within the semi-circularheating chamber. Referring to this figure, it will be seen that acirculating fan 40 may be positioned within the chamber, this beingrotated through a shaft 4| extending from a small motor 42 which may behung or otherwise supported beneath the table top 2. Figure 9also showsa further modification which facilitates the removal or replacement ofheating units which are liable to burn out after some time of use.Referring to this figure, the heating units 45 which are what is knownas pencil units, are in the form of cylindrical rods of considerablelength. They may be mounted in holes through the end frame members 46and in order to aid in supporting and guiding these units when they arebeing inserted in position, there may be employed semi-annularsupporting members 50 positioned between the end plates 46. These may beprovided with openings such as 5| through which the units may be pushed,being inserted from one end, and, particularly where a circulating faut!) is employed, they should be provided with openings 52 to per mitcirculation of air therearound. The end plates 46 are shown also ashaving outwardly directed marginal flanges 48 on which the coveringlayers ll, [2, and I3 may be secured and which form marginal projectingedges for end receptaclesBB within which may be housed the variouselectrical connections .to they heating units.

These end receptacles may be closed when in service by covers 6| whichmay, if desired, be hinged as at 62' so that they may be opened toprovide access to the ends of the heating units, but may be closed whenthe drier is in operation. They may be secured closed by being securedto the ends of a tie rod 65 which passes through the end plates 46 andthe various intermediate partitions and may pass through holes 66 in thecovers 6|.

In order to retain the matrix in curved position in contact with theblanket 3i], mechanism shown detached in Figure 8 may be employed andthis mechanism may, if desired, be employed as an attachment to othermatrix drying machines of the general type hereinbefore described havinga V curved surface against which the matrix may be supported While it isbeing dried. This mechanism includes the angular element 22 to whichreference has heretofore been made, this angular element having pivotedon journals H1 at opposite ends thereof, a pair of side frame members Hspaced wider than the length of the drier member. Between these members1 I, and in parallel relation to the angle member 22, is journaled adrum E3 on which is wound the end portion of a blanket M which ispreferably formed of asbestos reinforced with fine wire as previouslydescribed and which is sufiiciently porous to permit the escape of steamfrom the matrix as it is being dried. The opposite end of the blanket i4is shown as secured to the angle member 22, and said securing may beeffected, if desired, by the bolts 23 whichare employed to'clamp themember 22 to the drier drum. The frame member H may be extended beyondthe drum 13 and be provided with a cross handle member 15 by which theframe may be manipulated so as to swing it down from the open positionshown in Figures 4 and 6 to the closed position shown in Figure 5 duringwhich the blanket 14 is wrapped progressively about the blanket 20, theblanket l4 unwinding somewhat from the drum as the frame is brought downand the side frame members are brought down across the ends of the drierchamber.

In order to hold the blanket 14 taut so that it may press the matrixwhich is laid upon the blanket 2i) firmly thereagainst to take thecurved contour thereof, provision is made for holding the blanket 14under tension between the drum and its clamped end at the angle member22, such means acting yieldingly to rotate the drum 13 in a direction towind'the blanket 14 thereon. As shown, such means comprises a pair offlexible elements such as chains 88, one end of each being secured inany suitable way as at 3| to the drum l3 beyond the sides of the blanket14 and beyond the ends of the drying drum on which the matrix is placed,as is shown in Figure 1. These chains are shown as passed about pulleyswhich may be journaled on the pivots I0, and to the lower ends of thesechains may be fixed a cross bar 85 on which may be hung weights 81,these being of sufficientaggregate weight to hold the blanket 14sufficiently taut and to partly counterbalance the weight of the frame,particularly when it'is in intermediate position such as is shown indotted lines in Figure 5, thus to facilitate the rocking of this framebetween its substantial upright and horizontal positions. These weightsare more effective as a counterbalance when the frame is partly raisedandtend to move the frame to its upright position shown in Figure 4 whenthe frame has been partly raised.

The lower ends of the frame side members 1| may be provided with stops89 which may contact with the support I when the frame is in its raisedor open position, as shown in Figure 4, and in this position of theparts the chains 80 ,may bear over pulleys 88 journaled at the lowerends of these frames, as shown in Figure 4. The

and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit orscope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A matrix drier presenting a semi-cylindrical drying surface, a heatinsulating lining spaced inwardly of said surface to form a semi-annularchamber, heating elements within said chamber, and means forrecirculating air in said chamber.

2. A matrix drier presenting a semicylindrical drying surface, a heatinsulating lining spaced inwardly of said surface to form a semiannularchamber, heating elements within said chamber,

' means for holding a matrix against said drying surface, and a fan insaid chamber for circulating the air therein.

3. A matrix drier having a drying portion presenting a curved outerface, a frame having side members spaced wider than the axial length ofsaid portion, means supporting said frame to permit said side members tobe brought across the ends of said portion, and a blanket memberpositioned between said side members and yieldable to progressively wrapabout said face as said frame is brought across the ends of saidportion.

4. A matrix drier having a drying portion presenting a curved outerface, a frame having fixedly spaced members pivoted on an axissubstantially parallel to the axis of curvature of said drying portion,and a blanket carried by said frame in position to be progressivelywrapped about or unwrapped from said face on swinging of said frameabout its axis.

5. A matrix drier having a drying portion presenting a curved outerface, a frame pivoted on an axis substantially parallel to the axis ofcurvature of said drying portion, a blanket having an edge portionsecured to an edge of said drying portion adjacent to said frame axis, arotary drum carried by said frame spaced from and parallel to said frameaxis and about which said blanket is wound, and a yielding means tendingto rotate said drum to wind said blanket thereon.

6. A matrix drier having a drying portion presenting a curved outerface, a frame pivoted on an axis substantially parallel to the axis ofcurvature of said drying portion and a blanket having an edge portionsecured to an edge of said drying portion adjacent to said frame axis, arotary drum carried by said frame spaced from and parallel to said frameaxis and about which said blanket is wound, chains secured to and woundon said drum beyond opposite edges of said blanket in oppositedirections to the direction of winding of said blanket, and means forapplying tension to said chains to hold said blanket taut as it is moreor less wrapped or unwrapped about said drying portion as said frame isswung about its pivot.

7. For use in a matrix drier having a convex matrix-receiving face, aframe, a drum journaled in said frame, a member pivoted to said frame inspaced relation to said drum and which may be secured to said drieradjacent to its said face, a blanket secured at one end to said memberand having its opposite end wound on said drum, and yielding meanstending to rotate said drum and hold said blanket taut between saidmember and drum.

8. For use in a matrix drier having a convex matrix-receiving face, aframe, a drum journaled in said frame, a member pivoted to said frame inspaced relation to said drum and which may be secured to said drieradjacent to said face, a

blanket secured at one end to said member and having its opposite endwound on said drum, a flexible element secured to said drum element, apulley journaled on said frame adjacent to said member and over whichsaid element passes and a weight supported by said element, said elementbeing wound on said drum in the direction to cause said weight to tendto wind said blanket on said drum and to keep it taut between said drumand member.

9. For use in a matrix drier having a convex matrix-receiving face, aframe, a drum journaled in said frame, a member pivoted to said frame inspaced relation to said drum and Which may be secured to said drieradjacent to said face, a blanket secured at one end to said member andhaving its opposite end wound on said drum, a flexible element securedto said drum element, a pulley journaled on said frame adjacent to saidmember and over which said element passes, a weight supported by saidelement, said element being wound on said drum in the opposite directionto said blanket to cause said weight to tend to wind said blanket onsaid drum and to keep it taut between said drum and member, and a stopto limit the rocking movement of said frame in one direction.

10. For use in a matrix drier having a convex matrix-receiving face, aframe, a drum journaled in said frame, a member pivoted to said frame inspaced relation to said drum and which may be secured to said drieradjacent to said face, a blanket secured at one end to said member andhaving its opposite end wound on said drum, a flexible element securedto said drum element, a pulley journaled on said frame adjacent to saidmember and over which said element passes, a weight supported by saidelement, said element being wound on said drum in the opposite directionto said blanket to cause said weight to tend to wind said blanket onsaid drum and to keep it taut between said drum and member, a stop tolimit the rocking movement of said frame in one direction, and a pulleyjournaled on said frame adjacent to said stop and with which saidelement may contact when said frame is swung to one angular position.

GEORGE M. CLARK.

